Folding egg-crate



J. s. LEWIS. FOLDING EGG CRATE.

(No Model.)

No. 592,059. Patented Oct. 19,1897.

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Nr'rnn STATES JOSEPH s. LEWIS, OF' nmcnwoon, MISSOURI.

FOLDING EGG-CRATE.

SIPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 592,059, dated October 19, 1897. Application filed May 6, 1897. Serial No. 635,331. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, JOSEPH S.-LEWIS, a citi-' zen of the United States, residing at Ridgewood, in the county of Laclede and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Folding Egg-Crates; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear,

and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention has relation to boxes in general, but more particularly to egg-crates, and the object is to provide a crate which maybe knocked down and folded into small compass, whereby the same will occupy but small space when not in use.

With this object in view the invention consists of certain features of construction and combination of parts, which will be hereinafter more fully set forthand claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of my improved crate, showing it ready 'for use. Fig..2 'is a longitudinal sectional view. Fig. 3 is a cross-section'al view. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the end pieces removed. Fig. 5 is a similar view with the partition removed, and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the crate when folded. F

In said drawings, 1 denotes the bottom of the crate, and 2 and 3 the sides. The side 2 is connected to the bevelededge 3 of the cratebottom by an inside hinge 4, and the side 3 is connected to the said bottom by an outside piece 5, whereby the side 2 is capable of being folded upon the upper side of the bottom, while the side 3 is adapted to be folded against the under side of the bottom.

6 denotes end pieces having pins 7 in their lower edges, adapted to fit into pin-holesS in the bottom piece, and provided with pins 9, projecting laterally from their edges, which are adapted to fit into pin-holes 10in the side pieces 2 and 3.

Cleats 11 are secured on the outer sides of the end pieces, and are provided with fastening means 12,'which are adapted to fasten the'top 13 in position.

14 denotes apartition which is provided with laterally-projecting pins 15on its edges which are adapted toproject into pin-holes 16 in the inner sides of the side pieces 2 and 3, and is further provided with a pin 17, which is adapted to enter a pin-hole 18 in the bottom face of the crate.

19 denotes a band which surrounds the side pieces and end pieces when they are folded into positionfor use, and this band is prevented from slipping out of place by reason of the edges of the cover projecting a slight distance beyond the sides of the crate. If it is desired to fold this crate into small compass, thecover is unfastened and removed, the 'band drawn off, the side piece 3 swung outward,and the side piece 2 pushed outward sufficiently to let the pins 15 out, which permits of the end pieces and partition being removed. The side piece 2 is then swung down upon the upper surface of the bottom piece, and the side piece 3 is then swung against the under surface of the bottom piece. The end pieces are now placed upon one of the side pieces, the partition placed upon the end pieces between thecleats, and the cover then placed on top. The parts are held in this position by the band, which isplaced about them all. V

Although I have specifically described; the construction and relative arrangement of the several elements of my invention, I do not desire to be confined to the same,as such changes or modifications may be made as clearly fall within the scope of my invention without departing from the spirit thereof. Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isp Acrate comprising a bottom piece and the side pieces, the abutting edges of the bottom and side pieces being beveled and one side piece being connected to the bottom by inside hinges, and the other side' piece being connected to the bottom by outside hinges,

end pieces having pins which project in pinholes in the side and bottom pieces, the par tition having pins which likewise'engage holes in the side and bottom pieces, cleats secured to the end pieces and provided with fastening means, a band surrounding the end and side pieces, and a cover held in position by said fastening means and projectedlaterally beyond the side pieces, whereby the band is prevented from becoming accidentally disen-v gaged, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I hereunto'affix my, signature in presence of: two witnesses.

JOSEPH S. LEWIS. Witnesses:

J. B. BASLAM, R. A. HOLT. 

